Kitesurf365: The Megapod

Episode: From Big Air to Big Animation
Date: April 9, 2026
Hosts: Adrian Kerr & Colin Colin Carroll

Episode Overview

This Megapod delivers the usual irreverent banter and up-to-the-minute kiteboarding talk, balancing big name competitive chatter with behind-the-scenes insight into the sport’s personalities and future content projects. Adrian and Colin riff on the latest record-breaking big air jumps, the changing landscape of kiteboarding sponsorship and competition, the role of personality in brand-building, and their newest creative venture: an animated satire about the kite scene. Listeners are treated to sharp opinions, silly humor, and a peek into the creative processes fueling the next wave of kiteboarding media.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Big Air Progression: Race to 40, 50, and the Legitimacy of Record Jumps

• Jamie Overbeek’s 40m jump is dissected, with admiration for the clean footage and swift media turnaround.

• The hosts emphasize the importance of video evidence for kiteboarding records, referencing social media reactions and legitimacy.

  “It’s the first time that Wu’s put out a big total and we haven’t seen, you know, sort of noise in the background, say, ah, that wasn’t 40. You know, it was pretty undeniable when you see that footage.” – Colin (01:28)

• Like counts as legitimacy: Detailed comparison of Instagram reactions to jumps by Charles Brodel, Hugo, Jamie, and Andrea.

• Discussion shifts from the “race to 40” to the new challenge: the “race to 50.”

  “If we set a 45, you know, it doesn’t sound cool. I think it’s the race to 50 now.” – Adrian (00:57)

2. Iconic Kiteboarding Stunts: Tarifa Pier Jump

• Andrea Principi’s recent pier jump is met with understated enthusiasm; Colin and Adrian debate its originality.

• Rundown of previous athletes who’ve jumped the pier (Reuben Lenten, Maxi Gomez, Stig, Kamenick), suggesting the move’s “been done.”

  “Of course it’s a yawn. Blimey. Half the town’s done it.” – Adrian (04:54)

• Motivation behind these stunts (publicity, money, car ads) is discussed, raising questions about the future focus of elite riders.

3. The Evolving Careers of Elite Riders

• Focus on Andrea Principi’s shifting priorities: Is he losing interest in competition in favor of content stunts or sponsor-friendly projects?

  “He’s a firecracker. No chance of anyone telling him what to do. And that’s what makes him so brilliant. … He’s going to turn up and just do his own thing and that’s going to be what we get to enjoy.” – Adrian (07:49)

• The pair discuss rider identity vs. brand, injecting references to other sports (Dennis Rodman).

• They discuss whether sponsors like Red Bull value this maverick approach.

4. Behind the Scenes: Road to Pro and Kiteboarding Content

• Light-hearted mocking of co-star Jetto’s confusion and general lack of organizational awareness on the “Road to Pro” video series.

  “Zero. Comprehension. Zero.” – Adrian (09:46)

• Reflection on the recent glut of podcast content, questioning whether quality or quantity should be the priority.

• Celebratory mention of rider-owned brands, specifically Alex Pastor and his strategy with Airush.

• Discussion of key signings—Baby Shark and Davy Ribeiro—and how young riders are adapting quickly to new gear.

  “From that to, it’s only two or three days later, he looked like he’d been on those kites for a year.” – Adrian (12:17)

5. Industry Shifts: Brand Leadership and Direction

• Noting major management changes: Clinton Fleen moving from Airush to North and Mystic.
• Observations on the greater workload at apparel-heavy brands compared to kite-centric companies.

6. Big News: Creating a Kiteboarding Cartoon

• Adrian and Colin unveil their animated satire project, styled as the “Simpsons of extreme sports” with pros voicing caricatures of themselves.

  “We want Nine Lives to be the coolest, sexiest thing on earth. We want Road to Pro to be the stupidest, pointless thing … I think to add a cartoon in the mix as well as a podcast, it just makes us really diverse.” – Adrian (17:53)

• Inspiration from shows like The Simpsons, South Park, Rick & Morty, Big Les Show.

• Plans for “audio first,” then visual release—aiming for a lowbrow, irreverent look.

• Characters to include well-known riders (including Andrea, Tom Bridge, Jamie Overbeek) and inside-industry figures (“the Joy Sucker”).

  “I want the pros to come in and do their own voice. … They are going to have to be comfortable with making mugs of themselves, which I actually think is the ultimate cool thing to do.” – Adrian (15:30 & 15:38)

• Satirical aim: poke fun at the self-serious nature of extreme athletes and the pressure brands put on riders for ever-wilder stunts.

  “Extreme sports athletes are quite unique people, aren’t they? Often quite turdish.” – Adrian (23:43)

7. Looking Ahead: Nine Lives Project Update

• New season shooting in May, at Drapano, Greece (or possibly Sicily).
• Tom Bridge is the first rider confirmed, with Finn Flugel also likely.
• Highlighting the excitement of blending established and up-and-coming talents.

8. Memorable & Notable Moments

• Iconic Quote:

  “You just want to see the world burn, don’t you? You just want to see chaos. On the comments.” – Adrian (03:50)

• Colin’s play-by-play of public reactions and the meme potential of certain rider moves.
• Colin likening the hosts’ podcast efforts to being “amateur idiots” amid a sea of similar sports podcasts (28:18).
• Laughter about organizational chaos, confusion planning trips, and “sand in the eyes” moments on Road to Pro.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:43 – “Race to 40” over, “race to 50” begins
• 01:28 – Legitimacy of Jamie’s 40m jump, comparing media reactions
• 03:58 – Comments and controversy around highest jumps
• 05:59 – Andrea Principi and the question of competition commitment
• 09:09 – Jetto’s confusion and Road to Pro, episode 2 teasers
• 10:49 – Airush relaunch, Alex Pastor’s vision, rider signings
• 14:22 – Discussion about the new animated kiteboarding satire
• 15:12 – Pros voicing their own cartoon characters
• 17:53 – Mission for multi-modal media (cartoon, podcast, series)
• 24:12 – Nine Lives series update, location and riders
• 26:34 – Messaging legend Andre Philippe; reflections on hero outreach

Language & Tone

The episode is loaded with British wit, playful derision, insider references, and affectionate ribbing—the hosts poking fun at both themselves and the kiteboarding world. There’s candor about the business of kiteboarding, honest reflection on the sport’s evolving personality, and genuine excitement for new creative ventures, balanced by self-deprecating humor and “utter rubbish” chit-chat.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode of The Megapod is a must if you want to know what (and who) is hot in kiteboarding right now, how the sport is shifting beyond competitions, and what new, creative media experiments are on the horizon. Expect the usual chaos, big ideas, laughter, and a glimpse at the personalities shaping both the action on the water and the stories told off it.